Earthenware Ceramics

A impressively large and unusual stoneware vase in an urn shape from the studio of Japanese Potter Makuzu Kozan, also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama circa 1870s and later became one of the appointed artist to the Japanese Imperial household. His work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century and won many grand prizes. This vase is dated to the end of Makuzu's life circa 1910-1916 based on similar work created around that time. After achieving domestic and international fame, Makuzu retired and handed the business to his son Hanzan in 1912. He dedicated his time to other selected projects that were more in tune with Japanese sensibility than export aesthetic. He made a group of stoneware pottery pieces inspired by Edo master like Ninsei and Kenzan as well as his own poetic creation. This piece is attributed to that period. Standing of an impressive size, this vase is more like an urn, made with stoneware instead of porcelain. It was coated with a brown iron glaze with a slight translucent quality. Underglaze whit slips were used to draw low relief decoration of bamboo leaves that sparsely scatter on the surface. Slightly more elaborate scrolling vines and autumn flowers circles under the mouth rim. Same white slip inlay was used to sign the vase under the base. The whole effect of the piece is unusual. With its dark glaze in contrast with the sparse white decoration that is more abstract and geometric than realistic, it appears almost modern with an Art Deco flavor. For stoneware urn and vase in the similar genre by Makuzu Kozan: see figure 113 on page 182 of "Sekai ni Aisa Reta ya Kimono" MIYAGAWA KOZAN MAKUZU...

A stunning pair of ceramic vases with gilt, paint and high-relief decoration by imperial artist Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916, also known as Miyagawa Kozan) circa 1876-81 (late Meiji period). These vases belong to early period (1876-1881) of Kozan's repertoire, during which time the high relief sculpturing (known as Takauki ware) was used as a distinguished technique on top of the traditional gilt and paint ornaments of satsuma ware. Due to the relatively limited production and the fragile nature of these wares, not a large quantity of the examples remained in the first place, not mentioning a fine matching signed pair in such impressive sizes. Not only a rarity, this pair of vases is also superb in workmanship, thus the fine example of the work from that short and unique period of the artist's career before he switched to the underglaze period. In a conceptually mirrored fashion, the surface is richly decorated with flying cranes among large lotus leaves and flower, like an idyllic aqua scenery of pure poetry on a circular scroll. The high-relief appliques were rendered and composed in realistic fashion but with a dramatic touch. They are literally about to break the surface free, alive and in motion. The dark colors of the glaze were used to set a moody tone. The approach to create this type of ornamentations is more akin to sculpturing an ink painting in three-dimension than ceramic making. It is not hard to imagine the demand of both the artistry and the technique. Both vases were signed as "Makuzu Kozan Kiln" and each further with another name and seal, which are most likely the individual artist involved in the making process. Similar signatures can be seen in the reference book below. For similarly Takauki vases, see Miyagawa Kozan Makuzu...

A large Japanese ceramic vase by the celebrated Meiji imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1880-1890s. Dated to his underglaze phase post 1887 after he successfully mastered the new colors available from the west and used them to the best advantage in his work deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics. The vase has an impressive size and was potted in the classic baluster form with an elegant proportion. The surface is decorated using a combination of techniques of low relief sculpturing...

A rare footed dish in the form of an open scroll painting with literati landscape from the studio of Japanese Potter Makuzu Kozan. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu wa...

1149 Beautiful Japanese studio lava glazed vase

A striking blue and white vase from the studio of Japanese Potter Makuzu Kozan, also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama circa 1870s and later became one of the appointed artists to the Japanese Imperial household. His work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century and won many grand prizes. Of a relatively large size, this vase is decorated with underglaze cobalt blue using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting). As a result, the bamboos appear took on a three-dimensional quality as if appearing in a mist. Known as one of the most creative ceramists, circa 1887, Kozan started experimenting with new chemical colors from the West in the format of his porcelain glaze. New colors allowed him to create underglaze design that appeared bright, smooth and glossy. He even invented his own receipt of cobalt blue to achieve a much brighter yet softer shade, as evident on this vase. To create landscape that is realistic and dimensional, more common in the western paintings, he was inspired by the native Japanese ink painting technique developed around 1900 by Yokoyama Taikan...

A finely decorated and glazed Japanese porcelain vase by Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1900s Meiji Period. The vase is of a classic bottle form with baluster body and short neck. It was decorated with underglaze white magnolia blossom on a pleasant celadon background. The stamens of the flower were artistically rendered in a low relief, giving the design a realistic appeal with the dimension. Miyagawa Kozan...

A Japanese long neck porcelain vase circa 1900-1910s by the studio of Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), one of the most established and collected Japanese ceramist from the end of Meiji Period. Commonly known as Makuzu Kozan, which also appears as the signature on his work, his originally birth name was Miyagawa Toranosuke. He was the appointed artist to the Japanese Imperial household and his work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century. This vase features an elegant Classic form with a slender neck and slightly flared mouth above a baluster body. It was finely painted with two swimming carps in a copper red underglaze among green ribbons like waves. The background display a brilliant verdant green overall, Around the fish a poetic hazy effect was emphasized for a visual complexity by Fuki-e (the blow painting), an invention in Kozan's studio. The new technical development of chemical colors from the west was embraced circa 1900s in Kozan studio. This empowered the more creative experiments with not only colors, but also concept of dimension, which led Makuzu Kozan's work to become a bridge between East and West aesthetics. This is particularly evident in this vase with the Masterly details of the brush strokes, the expertly employment of gradient of color, and a very realistic and detailed rendering of the fish and their vivid motions. For two similar examples of Kozan's work with similar carps decoration, see Page 148-149 of the book: Sekai ni Aisa Reta ya Kimono Miyagawa Kozan Makuzu...

A tri-pod ceramic incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji to the start of Taisho period (1890-1910s). A fine example of the artist's work belonging to the late part of his underglaze paint phase (started around 1887 until his death), the surface of the koro was painted in beautiful shades of blue to depict a continuous landscape not unlike a traditional ink and watercolor hand scroll. The rise and fall mountains recede and fade into the horizon and are dotted with groves of pines. The sky is painted with a beautiful subtle shade of pink, suggesting a time of sunrise or sunset. The koro is fitted with an ensuite reticulated sterling silver hoya (incense cover), pierced with swirling cloud and marked with "pure silver' in Kanji. The base is signed in underglaze blue "Makuzu Kozan Sei" within a double ring. The piece is beautifully potted in form and the decoration was done with expertise using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking landscape known as "Mountain and Water" with sense of dimensions and gradient, the poetic effects normally conveyed only by sumi ink staining on paper. The piece comes with an unsigned tomobako (wood storage box) of a recent age. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu Kozan was one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama around 1870s and later became one of the appointed artists to the Japanese Imperial household. His work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century and won many grand prizes. Being one of the most creative ceramists, Kozan started experimenting with new chemical colors from the West in the format of his porcelain glaze around 1880s. New colors allowed him to create underglaze designs that appeared bright, smooth and glossy. He even invented his own receipt of cobalt blue to achieve a much brighter yet softer shade, as evident on this vase. To create landscape that is realistic and dimensional, more common in the western paintings, he was inspired by the native Japanese ink painting technique developed around 1900 by Yokoyama...

A beautiful ceramic vessel in the form of Bo, the so-called monk's alms bowl from the studio of Japanese Potter Makuzu Kozan, also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama circa 1870s and later became one of the appointed artists to the Japanese Imperial household. His work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century and won many grand prizes. Of a relatively large size, this piece was made as a decorative center piece for display. It was brilliantly decorated with underglaze paint of a green-on-green bamboo motif, using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting). As a result, the bamboos appear took on a three-dimensional quality as if appearing in a mist. Known as one of the most creative ceramists, circa 1887, Kozan started experimenting with new chemical colors from the West in the format of his porcelain glaze. New colors allowed him to create underglaze design that appeared bright, smooth and glossy. To create design that is realistic and dimensional, more common in the western paintings, he was inspired by the native Japanese ink painting technique developed around 1900 by Yokoyama Taikan...

On offer is a rare ceramic bowl with overglazed design by the famed Japanese ceramic artist Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916), circa 1906-1916. The bowl is rather unusual from the potter's repertoire with its unique glaze colors and decoration, and it likely belonged to a small series that Kozan made in and after 1906. A bowl of similar glaze and nearly identical dragon motif was recorded as a diplomatic present to the British royalty Arthur Connaught (1883-1932) when he represented King Gorge V in Japan in 1906. Other pieces, such as this bowl, were likely made with similar materials and designs afterwards. Essentially round in form, the bowl has a generous volume with six harmonious lobes. The bottom of the interior showcases a coiled dragon in red, green and gold slithering on a cobalt blue background. The roundel shares an echoing lobed perimeter, which is further outlined by red and turquois bands and rising sun design. The exterior of the bowl features six stylized Japanese camellias...

A porcelain incense burner (koro) made by Japanese potter Makuzu Kozan (also known as Miyagawa Kozan, 1842-1916) circa 1890s-1900s (end of Meiji Period). The koro features an elegant...